INSTRUCTOR:
Daire Irwin
OBJECTIVE:
The course begins with an overview of the concept of punishment and goes
on to study the burden of proof and criminal defenses; it also provides
a critical look at the most common crimes. Students will learn common
terminology in criminal law and how to consider a crime thoroughly in
terms of its elements.
EXPECTATIONS:
You will be expected to spend an average of 8 hours per week reading and
completing writing assignments. Please note that, barring extenuating
circumstances, extensions will not be granted for this online course.
70% is the minimum passing score on all tests and assignments for this
course. Students may consider working ahead in the curriculum if they
have the time. Students may consider working ahead if they have time.
PREREQUISITES:
Successful completion of Paralegal I and II, or equivalent experience.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
- Loewy, Arnold
H., Criminal Law in a Nutshell, 4th Edition. St Paul: West
Group.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
LEGAL RESOURCES:
- Recommended: Garner,
Bryan A., Black's Law Dictionary, 3rd Pocket Edition. St. Paul:
West Publishing
- WESTLAW legal research
access, available for the duration of the course for only $75. Order
Online Now
To order, call The Center
for Legal Studies at 800-522-7737 or Order
Online Now
| Reading
Assignments for Lesson Topics: |
| Lesson
One: General
Principals and Terminology |
Read
the Preface, the Perspective, and Chapters 1, 8 & 9 in Criminal
Law in a Nutshell (Nutshell)
Read the
following case on the Internet: http://wings.buffalo.edu/law/bclc/web/dudley.htm |
| Lesson
Two: The
Burden of Proof and Limitations of Criminal Law |
Read
Chapters 12, 13 & 18 in Nutshell |
| Lesson
Three: Defenses
|
Read
Chapters 10, 11 & 6 in Nutshell |
| Lesson
Four: Inchoate
Crimes |
Read
Chapters 14, 15, 16, & 17 in Nutshell |
| Lesson
Five: Crimes
Against the Person |
Read
Chapters 2, 3, 4 & 5 in Nutshell |
| Lesson
Six: Crimes
Against Property |
Read
Chapter 7 in Nutshell |
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS:
For each lesson you will submit a 50-point short answer/essay assignment
covering the topics in that lesson's reading. These assignments are due
by 9:00 a.m. each Friday.
EXAMS: You will complete two exams. Each is worth 100
points. The Midterm exam is to be submitted with your Lesson Three Assignments;
the Final exam is to be submitted with your Lesson Six Assignments.
BULLETIN BOARD ASSIGNMENTS: You will also post your responses
to six class participation assignments. These assignments are referred
to as Bulletin Board Submissions and will be submitted by either selecting
Bulletin Board Submission from within the lesson material, or by selecting
'Forums' under Activities on the Left Hand Block.
All lesson objectives,
assignments, and tests can be found in the Lesson Materials.
GRADING
Your grade will be based on your completion of six writing assignment
assignments, two exams, and class participation/Bulletin Board Submissions.
The exams and writing assignments can be accessed from within the lesson
material, or by selecting 'Assignments' under Activities on the Left Hand
Block. You will have the opportunity to engage in "class participation"
by using the Bulletin Board tool to respond to the bulletin board assignments
throughout the course. Also, participating in the bulletin board assignments
will enhance your understanding of the reading material.
Your final grade will be figured as follows:
- The six writing
assignments are worth 50 points each and comprise 40% of your grade.
- The two exams are
worth 100 points and comprise 40% of your grade.
- Your participation
in class participation assignments comprises 20% of your grade.
WITHDRAWAL
POLICY
Students may drop the course with a full tuition refund less a non-refundable
$15 administrative fee if written notice is sent to The Center for Legal
Studies by email at info@legalstudies.com by the Wednesday before class
begins. Students may drop the course with a 50% tuition refund if written
notice is sent to The Center for Legal Studies by email at info@legalstudies.com
anytime from the Thursday before the course begins until the first Thursday
of class. After the first Thursday of class, no refunds will be issued.
|